When Arsene Wenger takes his team through the potential threats that could deny us a spot in the FA Cup Final, there is one member of the Reading side that he may know a little more about.
Hal Robson-Kanu is certainly one of the Royals’ key players, helping Steve Clarke’s men get over a difficult season in the Championship, where they currently languish in 18th, to reach the final four of the oldest club competition in the world. Only two players have scored more goals than the Welshman in the FA Cup this season.
As if the prospect of a Wembley final, and all the things that come with it, wasn’t enough for Robson Kanu, Saturday’s fixture will represent a chance to get one over on the club that let him go at 15.
The report that the winger joined the Gunners at the age of 10, only to be told by Liam Brady that he was not big enough or strong enough five years later.
But rather than let the setback of being let go by his childhood club get in his way, the 25-year-old made sure that he could not be told the same thing ever again.
“When people don’t believe in you, it’s about believing in yourself and that’s what I did. I was always determined anyway as I grew up. I’ve seen loads of boys fall by the wayside. But I’ve shown what I can do and make that step,” he said.
He came through the Reading academy, working alongside Brendan Rodgers, and will now be desperate to prove that we were wrong to let him leave ten years ago.
“Come the big game, I’m sure we’ll be 100 per cent ready. Going in as underdogs, we’re going to attack the game, embrace the game and really get after them,” he added.
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